Protective structure for cashiers and the like



109. SAFES, BANK PROTECTION AND RELATED DEVICES.

June 3, 1930. E. E. SPOTTSWOOD 1,751,095

' PROTECTIVE STRUCTURE FOR CASHIERS AND THE LIKE Filed July 15, 1926 2Sheets-Sh'eet 1 Edwin Egmom (Spohswood atl ozwew 109. SAFES, BANKPROTECTION gmmm AND RELATED DEVICES.

June 3, 1930. Y E. aspo'ri'swoon 1,761,095

PROTECTIVE STRUCTUREVFOR CASHIERS AND THE LIKE Fiigd July 15. 1926 2Sheets-Sheet 2 #30 Zwwntoz 3 EdwinEgmonfpofisw'ood Gummy.

Patented June 3, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN EGMONTSPOTTSWOOD, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO PROTECTIVE STRUCTURE FOR GASHIERS ANDTHE LIKE Application filed July 15, 1926. Serial No. 122,673.

This invention relates to an improved protective cage structure for useby bank tellers and others who may be subject to banditry or holdup.

An object of my invention is to provide a structure wherein a cashier orteller may transact his usual money dealings with patrons or customersand which may, by operation of a simple mechanism be con verted into abullet-proof chamber wherein both the cashier and his monies in chargeare securely locked.

Another object is to provide a simple and rapidly operated protectiveshutter for the wicket of such structure.

Another object is to provide a structure of the class referred to,wherein absolute protection is attained without sacrificing any of theordinary conveniences of such structures.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein anddisclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional elevational view looking from the inside ofthe cage or structure.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2 and showingrelation of parts when the structure is in its normal position.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the relation of parts when in alocked condition.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental detail showing in closed position the relation ofparts shown at the left of Fig. 2.

This invention contemplates the combination of a suitable protectivedevice which will enable a teller or cashier to instantly protecthimself against holdup at the point of a gun or similar banditry,together with means whereby he can immediately thereafter effectivelylock himself and the monies in his care against attack from anydirection.

In the present embodiment a suitable bullet-proof, but amply ventilatedwall structure is provided for surrounding the area within which acashier or teller has his cage.

A plurality of angle strips 8, V-shaped in cross section, are supportedabove one another upon suitable rods 9 and spacers 10 carried by therods. A roof or ceiling structure comprises a plurality of spacedoverlapping strips 11, V-shaped in cross section and supported bysuitable individual means such as bolts 12 extending through theadjacent overlapping ends of adjacent members. A suitable transversemember 14 amply supports the weight of the ceiling structure.

A suitable frame 15 may be mounted in the forward wall comprising themember 8 to 0 provide the usual wicket space in which business istransacted.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that a shutter, which may be ofbullet-proof material such as suitable heavy gauge steel, has pivotallymounted slats 16, normally held open through the action of a spring 17and adapted to be instantly closed through the action of a tensionspring 18 (see Fig. 1). A section of flexible cable or the like 19connects with rod 20 to which the slats 16 are pivotally attached,passes about pulley 21 and is attached at its opposite end to tensionspring 18. A suitable knob 22 on cable 19 is adapted to abut the side ofa grooved pedal rod 23 which is Vertically reciprocable on suitablesupports 24 into and out of the transverse path of cable 19. From theforegoing it will be apparent that upon depression of a suitable pedalsuch as 25 the pedal rod 23 will be removed from the path of knob 22 oncable 19 so that the tension spring 18 may exert its force to close theslat members 16 of the shutter so that they will assume the positionshown in Fig. 5.

The slat structure is mounted in a suitable frame 26 carried by suitablepivots 27 and which is normally made fast with frame 15 by any suitablelatch such as 28. When it is necessary for a teller to receive or handout a large package or satchel the protective shutter mechanism may berotated in a vertical plane.

On the forward face of the pivotally mounted frame 26 is provided ascreen 29, the purpose of which is to preclude insertion of a gun or thelike between the slats 16 of the protective shutter. A pivotally mountedpanel 30 is mounted adjacent the bottom of frame 26 and is provided witha suitable handle 31 which may be manipulated by the teller for openinga space through which ourrency or the like may be passed. A suitablelatch 32 seats in notch 33 of handle member 31 and precludes possibleoperation of the panel 30 from the outside of the cage. A pair of spacedarcuate metallic walls 34 extend between the floor and cross member 14of the ceiling structure and provide between them a space within whichthe teller or cashier works. A pair of tracks 35 disposed interiorly ofstationary arcuate walls 34 have suspended therefrom by suitably groovedwheels or pulleys 36 a pair of movable protective walls 37 and 38respectively, which normally coincide with the fixed walls 34 and whichmay be moved along tracks 35 to completely enclose the structure, as inindicated in Fig. 4. The movable arcuate wall 37 extends only to thenormal level of the counter 39, it being desirable that the cashier orteller may, in an emergency, be able to conceal himself beneath thecounter 39 and behind the protection of the forward wall 40 which isprovided with a closable aperture 41, through which he may shoot at theintruder. The movable arcuate walls 37 and 38 each support a suitablecounter 42 upon which money and valuables are disposed.

Flanges 43 are provided on opposite ends of arcuate wall 38 and serve toposition the counters and movable arcuate walls by abutment with block44 when in open position and by engagement with a locking means 45 whenin a closed position (see Figs. 3 and 4).

The movable arcuate doors move as a unit, the short member 37 providingan additional protection between the cashier and the protective shuttermechanism, while the member 38 closes the entire rear of the cage. Anysuitable alarm system and means of communication may be wired in anysuitable manner, the wires being amply protected against tampering byunauthorized persons.

The operation of the device is as follows:

A teller, assuming the days business, would dispose his supply ofcurrency and other papers upon the shelves 42 which would be disposed athis left and right hand sides. When any transaction is to be made with acustomer on the other side of the wicket, the teller would press handle31 forward, thereby raising panel 30 and permitting exchange of papersor currency and the like. The space on counter 39 inside of the cage isof ample size to permit each individual transaction to take place inview of both customer and teller. When a large object is to be passedfrom customer to teller or vice versa, the frame 26 is swung about itspivotal mounting after unlocking latch 28.

Should the cashier or teller be suddenly confronted with a gun in thehands of a person on the other side of the wicket or should he, for anyreason, become distrustful of the action of any such party, he wouldimmediately depress the pedal 25 with his foot, whereupon the members 16of the shutter would immediately fold one over the other as shown inFig. 5, whereupon he would be amply protected from direct attack by onestanding outside the wicket. The screen 29 precludes the possibility ofanyone thrusting a gun through the wicket and thus preventing a telleror cashier from operating the shutter mechanism. Once the protectiveshutter has been released, the occupant of the cage may move the arcuatewalls 37 and 38 by grasping hold of the counters 42 and thus turning thestructure to the position shown in plan in Fig. 4. WVith the parts inthis position, the cashier or teller and the funds in his charge areabsolutely safe against bandits, while the occupant of the cage mayassume the offensive by shooting through closable aperture 41 which ispositioned well beneath the forward side of counter 39 and therefore notordinarily noticeable to customers and patrons. Once rendered secureagainst attack, the occupant of the cage may also give any alarm whichmay be provided.

What I claim is:

1. In a cashiers cage the combination of a pair of spaced arcuate walls,a second pair of arcuate walls mounted for movement concentrically ofthe first mentioned walls and adapted at times to lie parallel with thefirst mentioned walls and at other times to close the space between saidwalls, and means for locking the movable walls in the last mentionedposition.

2. In a device of the class described the combination of a protectivewall having a wicket and counter associated therewith, a protectiveshutter for the wicket and closable from one side of the counter, meansfor pivotally mounting said wicket above the counter, means forretaining the protective shutter in a normally open position, areleasable means for automatically closing the protective shutter, and apivotally mounted panel adjacent the base of the wicket.

3. In a ventilated bullet-proof wall the combination of spaced rods,metallic strips comprising angle irons having the rods extending throughthe apexes of the angles, spacers carried by the rods and disposedbetween the angle irons, and means for locking the parts upon the rods.

4. A bullet-proof ventilated protective wall IU9. bHr Lo, DANAI'HUILUHUHI AND RELATED DEVICES.

